Patriot Viper Xtreme Division 2 DDR3-1600MHz (2 x 2GBs) Kit Review

This kit is rated at DDR3-1600 (or 800MHz) at timings of 8-9-8-24 with 1.65v. Based on the quick specifications, it is clear that this low-latency kit is designed for extreme performance.

BACKGROUND

Patriot Memory is a long standing company that was founded in 1985.

It focuses on three main user groups with products for the enthusiast, standard memory user, and the flash memory market, while also peeking into the SSD hard-drive and media-player markets respectively.

It was only a year ago when we saw memory kits 4GBs and higher priced well over $100 CAD. Fast forward to the present day and you can pick up the same kit for roughly $50 less.

As prices continue to fall record lows, and as more producers constantly shift prices to remain competitive in the market, the time has never been better to purchase DDR3 memory kits. Indeed the average consumer, who may have settled for just 2 GBs total a few years ago, is now able to afford 4GBs and more as the sweet-spot for appropriate system memory is slowly shifting from 4GBs to 6/8GBs.

MEMORY OVERVIEW AND SPECIFICATIONS

The Division 2 Viper Xtreme kit used for this review is 4GBs total (2 x 2GBs), however there is also an 8GB flavour available as well (2 x 4GBs). These Viper Xtreme kits are designed for Intels second-generation Core processors, and have been thoroughly tested, authenticated, and proven using Intel 6-Series architecture.

Type

DDR3

Speed

PC3-12800 (1600MHz/800MHz)

Memory Timings

8-9-8-24

Voltage

1.65v

Intel 6 Series Support

Yes

Intel XMP Support

Yes

Warranty

Lifetime

The memory comes in an easy to open package, and aside from the modules themselves, Patriot also includes a small installation and specifications guide in order to make sure the user understands how the memory works and how to optimize it properly:

The memory components look almost identical to the Viper Xtreme memory kits, except these Division 2 modules feature a green coloured PCB instead of the black hue found on the aforementioned Viper Xtreme sticks. While I would have liked Patriot to retain the black PCB colour to match the heatspreader, it is clear that the green PCB colour was the most efficient method for distinguishing between the normal Viper Xtreme and Viper Xtreme Division 2 products:

Speaking of heatspreaders, the custom designed heat-shield solution that Patriot has designed for the Viper Xtreme line-up looks and performs exceptionally well. The heatspreader is an extruded aluminum outer shield built around a copper core, and each module contains six grams of copper at its core, paired with an extruded, aircraft-grade aluminum outer shield:

The ten heatsink fins (five on each side) on each unit reveal the copper core that is used to provide excellent cooling. Aside from the nice aesthetics and efficient cooling design, the fins are small enough as to not interfere with clearance, even when using larger, more enthusiast-level CPU heatsinks such as the Cooler Master V10:

On the side of each module is a sticker that lists the specifications, most notably the capacity (4GBs), speed (1600MHz), timings (8-9-8-24), and voltage (1.65v):